Enable History

Enable launched as United Cerebral Palsy of Mercer County, Inc. in 1989, dedicated to helping people with disabilities engage in the community and live fuller lives. As the geographic reach of the agency expanded, and its mission evolved to include adults and children with all types of disabilities, we renamed our agency Enable, Inc. in 1994.

Enable has undergone many changes during the years, constantly adapting to accommodate fluctuations in funding, government policy, and community needs. One thing remains constant: our unwavering commitment to delivering the highest levels of service to individuals with disabilities and seniors. Major accomplishments of Enable’s 27 year history include:

Small group homes and supervised apartment settings. Enable offers a viable and dignified alternative to traditional institutions, with 14 homes in four NJ counties (Mercer, Monmouth, Somerset, and Middlesex), and two more in development in a fifth (Ocean). In addition, in 2013, Enable partnered with Homes Now in Brick, NJ to open supervised apartment units for adults with disabilities.

Day services. Enable’s day services are designed to engage participants in the community, regardless of medical need or disability. Participants are offered a range of activities from pre-vocational opportunities and local volunteer options, to on-site activities such as cooking, having fun with music and dance, learning to care for plants and animals, and maintaining key skills like how to use money.

In home supports. Since day one, Enable has made it possible for participants to live comfortably at home through a variety of supports and services. This includes modifying homes to accommodate special needs such as adding a stair glide or other adaptive equipment, offering much-needed respite options to caregivers, assisting with daily living tasks in the home, providing case management, and more.

Extensive volunteer network. Our Connect with Enable program includes over 1,000 volunteers who contribute time to our organization each year.

Change continues to be inevitable — and Enable is prepared for the future. As we look ahead to the next 25 years and beyond, we will continue to set and meet the high standards of care the community has expected of Enable since 1989.

Contact Enable for the services you needFor more information, please contact Enable’s business office by calling 609-987-5003 or emailing info@enablenj.org.

Staying Busy, Staying Happy

Born with cerebral palsy, Chris began receiving services from Enable over 20 years ago when he moved into an Enable group home. He eventually gained the confidence to move out onto his own and, for the past seven years, has been living in his own apartment.

Now 45 years old, Chris loves the independence of living on his own, and has found many ways to stay active through Enable’s programs and resources. Whenever Chris wants to go out—whether to the mall, the movies, or to grab a bite to eat—he calls Access Link for a ride. He also loves to participate in community activities, play games, and work on arts and crafts projects through Enable’s Day Services.

Chris also works two part-time jobs—one as an elevator attendant for Sovereign Bank Arena, and the other as an office helper. “Work is one of the things I do that makes me the happiest,” said Chris. He considers himself a joker at heart and loves making people laugh. “I have a good sense of humor,” Chris shared. “People in my presence are always laughing at something I do or say.”